Do you need a motorcycle or car license to use an electric bicycle there? And can you recommend a place that rents and/or sells them?

Thanks.

49 minutes ago, david_je said:

Do you need a motorcycle or car license to use an electric bicycle there? And can you recommend a place that rents and/or sells them?

Thanks.

So far, haven't heard of or read anyone getting cited for riding ebikes or trikes, mobility scooters, unless doing something really stupid.

 

My ebike will easily do 40+ kph, but I usually cruise around 25-30, as not wanting to attract attention to myself, and I've ridden past check points (without a helmet) and not bothered with.

 

Just coasting by PoPo, but it doesn't take much to realize, it's an ebike, as DIY.

 

Not in a tourist area, and not rentals here, I don't think, so can't help with that.

 

Good Luck

Kaze e-bikes are built north of town in Pa Koi Neua, Tambohn San Pi Seua.

 

"Kaze" is pronounced with 2 syllables; the accent is on the second.  The K may be pronounced as a K or a G, i.e., "Gah-ZAY."

 

https://www.facebook.com/kazebicycle/

On 10/1/2025 at 12:04 PM, KhunLA said:

So far, haven't heard of or read anyone getting cited for riding ebikes or trikes, mobility scooters, unless doing something really stupid.

 

My ebike will easily do 40+ kph, but I usually cruise around 25-30, as not wanting to attract attention to myself, and I've ridden past check points (without a helmet) and not bothered with.

 

Just coasting by PoPo, but it doesn't take much to realize, it's an ebike, as DIY.

 

Not in a tourist area, and not rentals here, I don't think, so can't help with that.

 

Good Luck

Where did you buy the bike. and what features should I look for? Thanks.

39 minutes ago, david_je said:

Where did you buy the bike. and what features should I look for? Thanks.

Got mine from Bangkok E-bike, 35,000bht inc delivery

It's worked perfectly since new last year, 7,000Km so far.

Was worried about Trinx ...... but it's actually the best bicycle I've ever owned.

29 minutes ago, david_je said:

Where did you buy the bike. and what features should I look for? Thanks.

I converted my Schwinn, just a DIY project by bored expat, since already having the bike.  Worked fine, but I wouldn't recommend.  

 

BkkBike his a nice selection of offerings.

https://www.bkkebike.com/

 

Another reason why I keep the speed down, the Schwinn wasn't made for it, suspension & brakes.   Still have standard brakes vs disc brakes.   I also went with 1000w motor, which is overkill, and 350-500 is fine, better range.  Name brand battery is important.  

 

First battery I bought was crap, but no surprise for the price.  

They sell e-bikes on Aliexpress and Lazada.

Well, not that Thai police usually get technical, but if you have one of these electric bikes that looks like a motorbike, you will notice that they usually have pedals. Not that you'd ever use the pedals, but it makes them technically legal as a bicycle.

21 minutes ago, Andyfez said:

Well, not that Thai police usually get technical, but if you have one of these electric bikes that looks like a motorbike, you will notice that they usually have pedals. Not that you'd ever use the pedals, but it makes them technically legal as a bicycle.

 

That may be true of my e-scooters, but I used the pedals on my 7 speed 24" wheel LA Bicycle brand e-bicycle about as much as I used the battery assist.

 

The criteria that makes them legal as bicycles (or not) is usually a lot more complicated, including motor wattage and maximum speed.  Just in the places I've lived recently, Thailand has different laws than China, and both have different laws than Texas, (which has different laws than California- where I haven't lived for a long time).

 

Edit:  Hopefully, someone will chime in with the current Thai law.  Last time I checked, I think they were all classed as motorized vehicles but that wasn't generally enforced.

On 10/1/2025 at 12:04 PM, KhunLA said:

So far, haven't heard of or read anyone getting cited for riding ebikes or trikes, mobility scooters, unless doing something really stupid.

 

My ebike will easily do 40+ kph, but I usually cruise around 25-30, as not wanting to attract attention to myself, and I've ridden past check points (without a helmet) and not bothered with.

 

Just coasting by PoPo, but it doesn't take much to realize, it's an ebike, as DIY.

 

Not in a tourist area, and not rentals here, I don't think, so can't help with that.

 

Good Luck

Not doing something stupid? Well, you should wear a helmet!!!

6 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Not doing something stupid? Well, you should wear a helmet!!!

Maybe if I lived in a metro area, but not where I live.  Really is rural and slower speeds in town.  Not saying the simplest little knock wouldn't crack the ol' coconut, but risk of is too low for me, and a helmet really is annoying in this heat.   I even hate wearing a hat to avoid the sun, as just hold in too much heat.

39 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Maybe if I lived in a metro area, but not where I live.  Really is rural and slower speeds in town.  Not saying the simplest little knock wouldn't crack the ol' coconut, but risk of is too low for me, and a helmet really is annoying in this heat.   I even hate wearing a hat to avoid the sun, as just hold in too much heat.

Did you think before you showed yourself up again? Don't be silly, accidents can happen anywhere! Oh, and you think breaking the law doesn't apply to you!!

1 hour ago, ChrisKC said:

Did you think before you showed yourself up again? Don't be silly, accidents can happen anywhere! Oh, and you think breaking the law doesn't apply to you!!

Where I live, the helmet law is not enforced, unless on the very rare occasion, a check point is set up.   I think they are more interested in 'paperwork', license, reg & ins.   As people ride around 1st shift without helmets, and police ignore them.   Same as myself when on the ebike or E-MC.  Ignore me, but I do wear a helmet w/MC, ALWAYS, even if riding 5 mins up the village road near house.

 

They are friendly here with me, as checked me once at check point, in both car & MC, and strangely, wave me through, even when they are stopping most on MC, with or without helmets, hence my thoughts, paperwork is the priority.   I have seen tourist at the check point, so I guess 'I'm special'

 

Yes, that's unique, as never lived or travelled anywhere, that helmet law wasn't enforced occasionally, weekly or daily, during 1st shift.

 

As I say friendly with me, as I'm sure they know & remember me, after about 8 ish yrs here.  Almost daily I'm with the dog, in the front basket of MC, or on my lap in the car.   Also during scamdemic, they saw me on a daily basis walking the dog surfside, as local park was closed.   PoPo here have a brain, as I was mask-less, and they never batted an eye, even the 1st month of lockdown, when I was literally, one of the only persons walking around the 1st week.

 

People here actually drive responsibly, and I don't think in 8 yrs, I've seen a MVA, except on hwy 4.   Scooter drivers are well behaved, so all are left alone, unless doing something too obvious for them to ignore, like driving the wrong way at a couple spots around town, and they will cite you for that.

 

Complete opposite  of my 16 ish yrs at Udon Thani.  Less than 26k people here, PKK town, vs 250k at Udon Thani, and that's just a few districts at UT, that make up town.

57 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Did you think before you showed yourself up again? Don't be silly, accidents can happen anywhere! Oh, and you think breaking the law doesn't apply to you!!

Let me guess - you live in a non-rural location...

3 hours ago, IsaanT said:

Let me guess - you live in a non-rural location...

Irrelevant

4 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

Irrelevant

Oh contraire ... as if I lived at Krung Thep, I wouldn't even drive a MC or ebike.  Avoid driving completely at rush hours, in all metros.

 

Rural living, and the biggest danger for me on MC or ebike is hitting a dog or monkey in the road that's not paying attention, or a cow, steer or water buffalo that got loose.

 

 

This is Thailand,. 

 

You are a foreigner and nothing more, But definately a ca$h cow, who has to be racketed to the last penny. 

 

Rules are made up, laws applied, not applied.....all as per the mood of the officer who has pulled you over. 

 

With that in mind, happy riding if you must...

16 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

Irrelevant

With respect, it is relevant.

Risk is determined by actions and circumstances.  For example, many people ride scooters with sidecars in rural areas.  They are slow and wider than a normal scooter.  I don't recall seeing one of these devices in the heart of Bangkok because we could readily agree that they would be an obstacle and thus a potential deathtrap in the fast-moving city traffic.  As might a farmer's tractor.

Scooters and motorbikes are, generally speaking, accepted and understood by Thai drivers, as opposed to the frequent 'sorry, I didn't see you' accidents that often occur in the west, which is good.  In rural areas, sidecar combinations are expected, accepted and tolerated as part of everyday life in a way that they wouldn't be in a big city.

Likewise, overall speeds are slower in rural areas.  There are fewer (any?) time pressures in rural communities.

It's different, and risks are different.

12 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Rural living, and the biggest danger for me on MC or ebike is hitting a dog or monkey in the road

When I was living in Phetchabun, Cobra snakes crossing the road was my worst experience. 

 

I am the original poster. Thanks for all the replies. Is there a place near central Chiang Mai that rents or sells e-bikes? And if I were to buy, what features should I look for?